Untamed Hunger (7 page)

“You clearly know more about it than I do. I bow to your expertise.”

She was obviously curious and he refused to disappoint her. Dipping back between her legs for more cream, he circled her anus as he resumed his strokes.

“I thought we were going to wait for that?” she whispered. He eased his middle finger past her sphincter and she gasped.

“Cream works well enough for some light play. We’ll just have to wait for the rest.” He used synchronized strokes for a while, then switched, pulling his finger outward as he drove his cock in. This seemed to drive her crazy. Her hands gripped the edge of the table and she cried out with each rotation. “Come, love. You’ve earned it.”

Her ass squeezed his finger nearly as tight as her pussy gripped his cock. He closed his eyes and absorbed her pleasure, then prolonged the spasms by slowly drawing his finger out.

She muffled her scream with a wad of her hair, but the sound thrilled Grayson. He steadied her with his hands and pounded into her harder than he’d ever dared before. She was stronger than any human female, strong enough to nurture his seed.

The possibility was so exciting that his orgasm caught him by surprise. He wrapped his arms around her hips and spilled deep inside her, dazzled by the intensity.

Her throaty laughter drew him back to reality. “Why are you laughing?”

“At this rate we’ll never get out of this room, much less create the appearance that we’re sleeping in separate beds.”

He reluctantly separated their bodies and helped her down from the table. After a long, leisurely kiss, he slipped his hand between her thighs and gathered a mixture of her cream and his seed.

She watched him, eyes wide and curious. He’d been careful not to touch her clit or ignite another bout before she’d had time to recover from the first two. He painted her nipples with the silky moisture and she bit her bottom lip. But when he brought a second scoop to her armpit, she caught his wrist.

“What are you doing?”

“Marking my territory.” His gaze dared her to object.

After a brief hesitation she placed her hands behind her head and held her hair out of the way. He covered each of her pulse points in turn, the bend of her knees and elbows and below her earlobes.

“Does this mean I never get to bathe?” She smiled despite the confusion lingering in her gaze.

“It’s more ritual than necessity, but it quiets the cat to have my scent all over you.”

“Our scent. That was as much me as you. I’m willing to surrender control in the bedroom, but our lives have to be shared. I won’t be a doormat for anyone, not even you.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

* * *

Grayson showed her around the clinic while their passions smoldered. Sasha couldn’t believe how quickly she was aroused after each breath-stealing orgasm. Ignoring his objections, she pulled on his T-shirt and refused to look at him until he donned his jeans.

“Modesty is a human concept. Morphs spend much of our time naked out of necessity.”

“How does being a morph necessitate nudity?” She followed him back into the reception area, the only room with a table and chairs. They sat facing each other, the span of wood helping them keep their hands to themselves.

“Clothes don’t transform with us. We either undress before we shift or shred whatever we’re wearing, which still leaves us naked when we shift back into human form. It’s just more trouble than it’s worth. Our children don’t giggle and stare when they see a naked body because they’ve never been taught that it’s shameful.”

“They don’t run around naked in the village and you’re the only morph who ever approached me while you were naked.”

“The morphs in the village don’t count,” he grumbled. “They’re more human than cat.”

“Spoken like a true rebel?”

He just shook his head, a lazy smile curving his lips. “I can’t wait to introduce you to Dyauna. I think you’ll like each other.”

She’d heard a lot about the rebel leader, but Dyauna avoided humans like the plague. “Your grandfather said we needed to decide if we wanted to secure a future for ourselves or take on the world. Do you know what he meant?”

“More or less. Ironically it started with Dyauna. She was the one who saw us in the forest and she was the first to suspect you weren’t entirely human.”

“What made her suspicious of my origins? I’m not significantly stronger or faster than others on my team.”

“If this is as big as we think it is, they are probably all hybrids of one sort or another. Was your feline DNA from a white tiger?”

“Yes. And Director Darman confirmed that there’s no genetic connection between you and me, or I wouldn’t be here.”

“Obviously. But the similarity in our genetic profiles explains our attraction. Morphs are always drawn to those who are biologically compatible. The higher the compatibility, the stronger the attraction. It’s a survival mechanism frequently found in endangered species, or so my grandfather tells me.”

“Why do you say morphs are endangered? The colonies are so crowded DOMA has been talking about opening a fifth location for years.”

“And yet it never gets built. Why do you think that is?”

“Funding? They can’t figure out where to put it? I don’t know.”

“They did the math and realized they won’t need it. Our population is shrinking at an alarming rate. Morphs, at least feline morphs, have always been genetically predisposed to producing male offspring.”

She chuckled. “I think you’ve been spending too much time with your grandfather. We simple soldiers would say cats tend to have more boys than girls.”

“There is nothing simple about you, but I’ll attempt to simplify my explanation.” He winked and then went on, “The fact that morphs reproduce in litters caused an unexpected surge when the program began. But by the time the first generation of cubs matured enough to mate it was obvious there were going to be complications.”

“Monogamy flew out the window along with modesty?”

He smiled and reached across the table to entwine their fingers. “None of this affects us, so don’t freak out as I explain it. Morph females generally choose their first mate and then their primary mate determines who will join them or have access to her during her breeding season.”

“Why is it his choice and not hers?”

“Male morphs are dominant and possessive.” As if he needed to remind her. “She has the option to refuse his choice, but if he didn’t have control of the process it would never work.”

“And I’m sure females make subtle, and not so subtle, suggestions from time to time.” A faint smile curved her lips as risqué images teased her imagination.

“I’m sure all sorts of compromises are made. I’m just explaining the social framework we operate within.”

She nodded, forcing her mind to refocus on the underlying cause for the sexual freedom. “It keeps the gene pool diversified and keeps the males from fighting to the death over the females. So, why isn’t it working?”

“Last year only one cub in twenty was female and the ratio is shrinking every year. Grandfather has had teams of researchers working on a solution for as long as I can remember.”

“Is this why Sheila was attacked? Was the tiger you challenged trying to claim her as a mate?”

“Tigers and leopards can fuck, but few cubs are ever produced as a result. And when they are, the cubs are sterile.”

“Then why do they bother?”

He chuckled and gently squeezed her hand. “Attempting to stabilize the population isn’t the only reason morphs fuck. Sometimes we simply enjoy the act.”

“I don’t think Sheila enjoyed what happened to her.”

“What happened to Sheila had nothing to do with procreation. Izak is out of control.”

“Izak?”

He sighed, his gaze narrowed with wariness. “Am I talking to my lover or Major Young?”

“Major Young is so far off mission, I suspect she’s deserted her post.”

“Permanently?”

“Permanently.” Saying it out loud helped her solidify the reality in her mind. She was way beyond the point of no return. She wasn’t sure how her future would look, but she would never wear a military uniform again.

“When males are continually rejected as potential lesser mates they become aggressive. Sometimes they turn rogue. Izak has been rejected by every female tiger’s primary mate, so he has no hope of ever producing cubs of his own.”

“It’s hard not to feel sorry for him.”

“That’s only because you’ve never met him in human form.” He heaved a frustrated sigh and rubbed his forehead as he continued. “Last summer he joined the rebels largely to have access to the female leopards.”

“Dyauna is a leopard?”

“Yes, and all but two of the leopards are among her followers. Anyway, Izak had no more luck finding a lover than he’d had finding a mate. He’s mean and impatient, and no female will put up with his personality.”

“Was Sheila his target or was she just in the wrong place at the wrong time?”

“I don’t honestly know. Dyauna could tell you the specifics, but this is a leopard problem now.”

“And Dyauna doesn’t take shit from anyone?”

“Exactly.”

The more she learned about Dyauna, the more intrigued she became. Grayson was likely right. Dyauna sounded like the type of person she would enjoy knowing.

“You refer to the cat in you and the man in you,” she said after a short pause. “I’m feeling a similar duality. I find what Sasha wants is at odds with what Major Young feels compelled to do.”

“Major Young is AWOL. Remember? Never to return.”

“Sasha is firmly in control, but Major Young is stubbornly fighting for survival. I know I’m finished with the military, but I don’t yet see how I fit in to your world.”

“Maybe I can help with that.” He leaned forward and brushed a kiss against her knuckles. Then he scooted back his chair and stood. “This is the ‘secure a future or change the world’ part, and either one will require you to sever all ties with Major Young.”

As if their lovemaking hadn’t done so already. She might be able to leverage what she’d learned about hybrids into a dishonorable discharge, but her career was obliterated. No turning back.

“My father was one of the last males accepted into DOMA’s program. By then a spontaneous ability had begun to pop up in some of the morphs.”

“Your father was a hybrid not a morph, correct?”

“Yes. I inherited my ability to transform from my mother.”

“Go on. I didn’t mean to distract you.”

“Just being near you distracts me.” He stood behind the chair he’d been sitting in and rested his hands on the back. “I called it an ability, but it happens spontaneously, so that’s not really the right term.”

“You’re talking about the fact that their cum made certain hybrid females transform into morphs?”

He smiled. “You have a remarkable way of simplifying complicated concepts.”

“And you have a remarkable way of complicating concepts that are actually rather simple. I already see where you’re going with this. Did Darman hype up this ability when he engineered your father?”

“Yes.”

“How many females did your father transform?”

“Eleven. This was before he met my mother.”

She laughed. “I thought morphs weren’t monogamous?”

“It’s a bit hypocritical, I agree. But my father wasn’t a morph.”

“True. Have you transformed anyone?”

“I’ve never slept with a hybrid before, but my grandfather says whatever he engineered into my father’s DNA is still intact in mine.”

“Did your father ever sleep with a hybrid that didn’t transform?”

After a pause he shook his head and admitted, “They all transformed.”

“Then it’s only a matter of time for me?” Heat washed over her followed immediately by a rush of cold. Every time she saw a morph transform it left her spellbound. Was it really possible she would experience the phenomenon for herself?

“Very likely.”

The concept was so surreal, she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. “How does this help us change the world?”

“If you’re willing, my grandfather would like to record your transformation. You will have to be recorded continually until you shift because we have no idea when it will happen, or how long it will take you to morph the first time. You could shift into cat and back before I could trigger the camera.”

“How will this recording benefit anyone?”

“After we’ve edited out anything we don’t want to share with the general public, we’ll leak the file and hope it goes viral.”

“So I’ll have my fifteen minutes of fame. What will that accomplish?”

“As well as your actual transformation, we’ll include interviews detailing what you’ve gone through and the secrets DOMA is so determined to keep.”

“No one will believe us. DOMA will claim the file was manipulated or make it disappear before anyone sees it.”

“That’s why it’s so important that this go viral. We post it beyond the government’s filters and pray that public curiosity will do the rest.”

“And how will we accomplish that?”

“That’s not our part of the mission. My grandfather has friends in high places. They’ve protected him for years. Why do you think he’s still around when so many of his colleagues have mysteriously disappeared?”

“So we just turn on surveillance and fuck like bunnies until I transform?”

He laughed, his eyes twinkling merrily. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Chapter Seven

“I’m bored!” Izak sat in a dismal cave high in the mountains, head resting against the roughhewn wall. Amara had brought him food and allowed him to fuck her at least once for the past three days, but even her visits failed to break up the monotony.

“You’re still alive, which is miraculous with Dyauna on your trail.” Amara stood near the mouth of the cave, hands on her hips. It would be weeks yet before she was certain if she carried his cubs, which was the only reason he kept mounting her. She barely stirred his interest enough to harden his cock. Even so, at the moment, she was all that stood between him and the leopards. He wasn’t a coward by any means, but he knew a futile fight when he saw one.

“I can’t hide forever. Sooner or later I’ll have to take a stand and --”

“And be ripped apart by the leopards? They might prefer a solitary life, but they hunt together. And right now, sweet cheeks, you’re their prey.”

“I have to do something or I’ll go insane.” He pushed to his feet and tossed his hair out of his eyes. “Bring me someone to entertain me, or better yet lure someone up here and I’ll let you play with them too.”

“You’re disgusting.” Her voice lacked any real conviction.

“Am I?” He crossed to her with two long strides and grasped her by the throat. “I’ve seen the cruelty in your eyes. You didn’t seek me out as a last resort. You’re just as depraved as I am.”

“I won’t hurt another cat,” she insisted and she sounded like she meant every word. “But I admit I’ve wondered what it would feel like to indulge some of my more interesting fantasies.”

His cock hardened as he gazed into her eyes. Here was the true Amara, the twisted fuck he’d glimpsed but not yet met. “You could find us a puppy.”

“Not too young or he’d be of no use to me.”

“We can compromise.”

Her nipples hardened and the scent of her arousal rose as he drew her deeper into the cave. “It will be so dangerous,” she purred, unmistakably excited by the thought. “Cats can’t just stroll into dog territory without being confronted.”

“So don’t get caught.” He twisted her nipple with his free hand, watching lust ignite in her gaze.

“It will take time and planning if I’m going to snatch a dog without leaving a trail.”

“You’re good at this sort of thing.” He moved his hand to her other breast and found her nipple tightly beaded, ready for his punishing squeeze. “It’s easier to be patient if I know there’s something worth waiting for.”

“I could disguise myself as a guard. They all look the same with their uniforms on.”

He released her neck so he could work both her nipples at once. The harder he pinched the better she liked it. “Where will you get the gear?”

“Like I said, it will take planning.”

“Then get on your knees. You think better with my cock in your mouth.”

* * *

Sasha clutched the blanket beneath her and arched into each of Grayson’s deep thrusts. After a few frustrating minutes on the narrow bed, he’d torn the bedding off and tossed it to the floor. She understood his haste, feeling just as eager, just as impatient for the demanding fullness of his cock deep inside her.

He knelt behind her and filled her with one demanding thrust. Then he grasped her hips and pounded into her, hurling her toward another orgasm. With little to do but fuck, they’d explored the clinic for the past four days. They initiated each room and every available surface. He bent her over counters and sat her on ledges. They licked each other in the shower and utilized both beds.

She had never experienced pleasure like she felt each time they touched, never imagined such staggering sensations existed. He could be incredibly gentle even while he overpowered her and commanded her, or like now, he could be uninhibited and wild.

Each time was different, new somehow, and their bond continued to strengthen. She could send her thoughts as well as hear his now and she treasured the intimacy.

Pleasure shot through her, sudden and powerful. She gasped, her core pulsing with an impending orgasm. “May I come, sir? Please! I can’t wait.”

Blood coursed through her ears, escalating from a rushing current to a thunderous roar. She arched and twisted, unable to hear his response or see beyond the gathering haze. Sensations blurred and curled, fading to black only to jar her back into stark awareness.

Pain stabbed down her spine, branching off into her arms and legs. She screamed, tossing her head and bucking beneath him.

Don’t fight it, love. And don’t be afraid. We’ll ride this out together
.

She felt him flow into her mind more prominently than he’d ever been before. He coaxed and soothed while he guided her, helping her center her mind so her body could accept the changes.

Changes. She was shifting!

Focus. Your body knows what to do. Don’t let your mind get in the way
.

She fought back her chaotic thoughts and the metamorphosis accelerated. Her muscles stretched and joints popped. She screamed again but a feline roar echoed in her ears.

Grayson’s arms wrapped around her neck, his warm body pressed along her back. She raised her head and saw her chest heaving as she panted for breath. Her coat had an ivory sheen, her chocolate brown stripes contrasting sharply with the pale hair. She’d done it. She’d actually morphed into a tiger.

Are you all right
?

Finding their telepathic link took more concentration in her befuddled state, but she managed.
I think so. Will it always hurt so badly
?

I won’t lie to you. There will always be pain, but you’ll learn how to speed the transition and minimize the discomfort. Just rest now. I’m going to get you some water
.

She was so weak remaining still was no problem. Every muscle in her body burned and her joints ached. If molecules could feel pain, she was sure hers were throbbing. This looked so effortless when he did it. Why did she feel so wretched?

Sweetheart, your body has been torn apart and reassembled for the first time. It gets better. I promise. For a first transition, you did incredibly well
.

He set a bowl of water down near her mouth and helped support her weight as she folded her legs beneath her. Every movement felt alien and labored. She leaned forward and lowered her head.

The water was cool against her tongue and the ringing began to fade from her ears. He stroked her neck and rubbed her bunched muscles, reassuring her as he eased the tension.

She closed her eyes and shifted her head to his thigh, too exhausted to think, much less move.

When the whirlwind approached the second time, she surrendered to it, allowing it to sweep her along with no resistance. The sensations were sharp and searing, but they receded much faster, making the experience far more bearable.

She rolled onto her back, her head in his lap. “Wow. That was horrible, yet amazing.”

He smiled, brushing the hair back from her damp face. “You are beautiful in any form.”

“I didn’t consciously shift back. Is that normal?”

“It might feel like the transformations are controlling you for the next few days, but you’ll gain a better understanding with each shift. In no time at all we’ll be prowling the forest together and shifting will feel as natural as breathing.” He gathered her in his arms, blankets and all, and set her on the bed. “I’m going to check the recording and make sure we captured what we needed.”

Understanding unfurled within her and she grabbed his hand. “We were fucking when I transformed. Oh shit, how do we release this file without revealing what triggered the shift?”

“I’ll edit the images as tastefully as I can, but there’s no way to disguise what we were doing.”

“It’s almost time for our evening meal. Let’s see what your grandfather thinks. I hope I didn’t screw up everything.”

Grayson kissed her hand and urged her to lie down. “Rest. I’ll see if I can have a rough draft ready by the time he gets here.”

She was asleep when Darman arrived, but the rumble of their voices woke her. She dressed quickly, anxious to see what the director thought of the recording.

Darman didn’t seem surprised by the sequence of events and assured them it wouldn’t be a problem. “If anything, the sexual nature of the preshow will attract that many more viewers. Our hope is for this to go viral, so the more titillating the better.”

“We prepared interview segments beforehand,” Grayson explained. “All I have to do is edit them in. I can have it ready by tomorrow.”

“That’s wonderful. Sheila left the infirmary this morning, so our excuse is wearing thin.”

“What happens now?” Sasha asked. “How do you avoid a backlash from DOMA?”

“General Hidaka will be out for blood as soon as this hits the public. I’ll have to disappear before he realizes what we’ve done.” Darman shrugged, but Sasha didn’t buy his nonchalance. This was his life’s work, the culmination of decades of dedication.

“That’s not an option.” She crossed her arms over her chest and widened her stance. “You’re the only ally the morphs have. It would be devastating to their cause if they lost you and your connections.”

“She’s right.” Grayson stepped up beside her and slipped his arm around her waist. “This can’t lead back to you. We’re the ones who have to disappear.”

Darman shook his head, conflict clear in his dark eyes. “There’s nowhere for morphs to hide outside the colonies. DNA screenings are done on a routine basis.”

“So we won’t leave the colony,” Grayson countered. “We’ll join the rebels. Dyauna has been after me for years.”

Sasha didn’t like the sound of that. “The rebels can have our allegiance, but Dyauna is shit out of luck!”

The men laughed and Grayson hugged her close against his side. “Dyauna suspected you were my mate before I was ready to consider the possibility. She’s no threat to you. I promise.”

Embarrassed by her jealous reaction, she changed the subject. “Have the leopards found Izak?”

“Dyauna swears they’re still looking for him, but I think it’s more likely they’ve taken care of the problem and he will never be found.” Darman didn’t sound upset by the outcome.

“Good for her.” The vehemence in her tone made the men smile. “I saw what he did to Sheila. He deserved to die.”

Darman patted Grayson on the back. “She’s already thinking like a cat.”

“We have to keep our plans clean and simple,” Grayson said. “I’ll finish editing the file and then deactivate everything but the workstation. When you arrive with our food tomorrow, we’ll be gone. No explanation, no drama.”

“I’ll take care of the workstation after I retrieve the file, and then I can honestly tell Hidaka I came to lift the quarantine and you were gone.”

“Hidaka will still be suspicious as hell,” Sasha predicted.

“No doubt, but what he suspects and what he can prove are two different things.” A touch of amusement lightened Darman’s tone. Apparently it took more than the military to intimidate him. “If DOMA had the power to make me disappear, they would have used it a long time ago. Too many people with very deep pockets rely on my work.”

Grayson paused, worry creasing his brow. “Are you sure you can trust your contacts? I’ll make sure there is nothing in the file that incriminates you, but this nameless distributor worries me.”

“I trust them implicitly. There is nothing for you to worry about, but things are going to get damn uncomfortable for DOMA as soon as this story starts spreading.”

“Then it’s settled. We’ll head out just before dawn and you take it from there.” Grayson released Sasha long enough to hug his grandfather. The affection they shared was obvious and poignant.

Sasha offered Darman her hand, but he pulled her in for a quick hug as well. “You’re family now. Take care of this rascal for me.”

“You can count on it.”

After they devoured the food Darman brought them, they spent the next several hours preparing the file for public viewing. Grayson used a combination of zoomed-in framing and strategic blurring to keep the scene from being pornographic. Watching herself change over and over was nearly as amazing as having experienced it firsthand.

She was also moved by the emotions revealed in Grayson’s expressions and gestures. He’d been exhilarated, yet terrified for her safety. And once she had fully transformed, he’d been so careful with her, so tender. His love was undeniable.

Tears blurred her vision and emotion burned in her throat. She reached over and squeezed his hand. “Thanks for getting me through this. It was…”

He drew her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “What sort of male would I be if I didn’t protect my mate?”

Two weeks ago she would have insisted she didn’t need a man to protect her. But two weeks ago she’d been human, blindly following orders. She’d never thought of herself as complacent and gullible, yet that’s exactly how she felt looking back now.

He powered down the workstation and pivoted in his chair, aligning their knees. “Life is going to be hard. Conditions in the rebel camp are pretty damn primitive.”

“I’ve been in the military most of my life. I think I can handle it.”

“Most of them don’t bother with clothes.” Challenge gleamed in his eyes, yet she detected a mischievous twinkle as well.

She stood and pushed her chair aside. “I’m not ashamed of my body.” With deliberate slowness, she pulled her top off and let it fall to the floor. “Modesty is a human expectation and I am a felidae-morph.” She wiggled out of her pants and stood before him naked.

Heat washed over Grayson as he looked at his mate. She was perfect, sleek and leanly muscled, yet soft and rounded as a female was meant to be. Her spirit pleased and aroused him. He stood as well, shedding his suddenly cumbersome clothing.

Her gaze was just as bold as his, moving over his naked bodywith leisurely appreciation. She licked her lips and approached him, desire making her dark eyes shine.

She put her hands on his shoulders and leaned in close, her lips nearly touching his. “I know you listed a tube of lubricant along with the other things we requested. Was it included with the bundle we received yesterday?”